Vegan zucchini fritters (aka courgette fritters, depending on where you're from) are crispy and crunchy without all the fat of pan fried fritters. Plus, they're dairy and egg free. Serve them with my popular quick vegan garlic aioli.
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These vegan zucchini fritters are a healthier, lower fat version of skillet cooked fritters. We'll be making them in your air fryer. You only need a tiny bit of oil, and they still come out light and crispy.
One of the bonuses of using an air fryer is that you don't have much clean-up to do. Just pop them in the basket, press the button and you're good to go! Easy peasy.
I like to make double batches of these and freeze them for a quick snack or an easy brown-bag lunch option.
Reasons You'll Love This Recipe
- If you've got a glut of zucchini on your hands, this is the perfect recipe to use them up. You can even freeze these fritters to be enjoyed later.
- Kids love this zucchini fritter recipe! Want to get more veggies into your kiddos? This is a great way.
- Zucchini fritters made in an air fryer have far less fat than those that are cooked in oil on the stovetop.
- This recipe is totally dairy-free and can easily be made gluten-free.
🛒Ingredients
- Zucchini (Courgettes): Here's how to tell if your zucchini is ripe - choose one that is fairly firm, but not too soft. Overripe zucchini can be bitter, so be sure to check for the perfect amount of ripeness. Ripe zucchini is mild and sweet.
- Onion: Assertive and spicy onion loves to pal around with mild and sweet zucchini. Opposites attract!
- Flour: Flour acts as binder to bring all the ingredients together in a thick batter. If you want to make this zucchini fritter gluten free you can substitute a gluten free flour blend for the all purpose flour, and omit the breadcrumbs.
- Corn Starch: Corn starch absorbs the excess moisture from the zucchini and onions so that your fritters crisp up nicely in your air fryer.
- Baking Powder: Baking Powder gives your fritters a bit of lift.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder adds a nice, spicy twang that works well with the dill.
- Dill: Fresh, herbed dill really makes these zucchini fritters shine.
- Salt: We're using salt here to draw the liquid from your zucchini. You simply sprinkle it over the zucchini, put it in a colander and let it drain.
- Breadcrumbs: Makes a nice crunchy coating! Perfect!
- Olive Oil: We'll be using olive oil to brush on the outside of the fritters to really crisp them up in the air fryer.
👨🍳How To Make Ve Zucchini Fritters In Your Air Fryer
- Grate your zucchini with a box grater or food processor and put it in a colander. Sprinkle with salt and allow it to drain for 15 minutes.
- Put your zucchini in a muslin cloth or a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out as much liquid as possible . If you don't have a muslin cloth, just squeeze out the excess liquid with your hands.
- Tip your zucchini into a mixing bowl and add the onion, flour, cornstarch, garlic powder and fresh dill. Mix until a thick batter forms and everything is well combined.
- Grease the insert in your air fryer and preheat it to 350 F (175 C).
- Roll your batter into golf ball sized ball and flatten them with your hand.
- Put the breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl, and coat the fritters on with sides.
- Transfer the zucchini cakes to the air fryer, being careful not to overcrowd them. You may need to fry them in batches. Lightly brush with olive oil. Alternatively, you can spray them with an olive oil spray.
- Air fry for 15 minutes, flipping once at the half way point.
- If you want to serve these delicious vegan fritters with a dip, simply mix a bit of chopped dill with some vegan yogurt. Enjoy!
Variations
- Mediterranean:
- Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and minced fresh basil to the mixture.
- Season with oregano and a touch of lemon zest for a Mediterranean twist.
- Mexican:
- Mix in black beans, corn kernels, and finely chopped jalapenos for a spicy kick.
- Use chili powder, cumin, and smoked paprika for seasoning.
- Asian:
- Incorporate grated carrots, finely chopped scallions, and a bit of grated ginger.
- Use soy sauce, sesame oil, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds for an Asian flavor profile.
- Herb Infused:
- Add a mix of fresh herbs like parsley, chives, and thyme to the mixture.
- Season with a blend of herbs like herbes de Provence or an Italian seasoning mix.
- Indian:
- Mix in grated sweet potato or butternut squash for a touch of sweetness.
- Use curry powder, ground turmeric, and a pinch of cinnamon for a warm, aromatic flavor.
🍽️Serving Suggestions
Air fryer zucchini fritters make a great snack. Or serve them alongside a main dish for a more filling meal. Here's a few suggestions:
- Vegan Tzatziki Dip and Greek Salad: Serve your zucchini cakes with a cooling and creamy vegan tzatziki sauce made from plant-based yogurt, cucumber, and dill. Pair it with a classic Israeli salad featuring tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and a tangy vinaigrette.
- Cauliflower Rice and Mango Salsa: Accompany the fritters with light and fluffy cauliflower rice and a refreshing mango salsa. The sweetness of the mango will complement the savory zucchini fritters perfectly.
- Chickpea Hummus and Pita Bread: Make a Mediterranean-inspired spread by serving the fritters with homemade chickpea hummus and warm, toasted pita bread or my Turkish flatbread recipe. Add some fresh veggies like sliced cucumbers and cherry tomatoes for extra crunch.
- Lentil Soup and Herb-Roasted Potatoes: Create a cozy and satisfying meal by pairing the fritters with a hearty vegan lentil soup. On the side, serve herb-roasted potatoes for a comforting contrast in textures.
❄️Storage Instructions
Refrigerator
Allow the cooked air fryer zucchini fritters to cool to room temperature. Now, place them in an airtight container, separating the layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Freezer
Allow the cooked fritters to cool completely. Next, place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, making sure they don't touch. Freeze the fritters on the baking sheet until they're firm, usually for about 1-2 hours. Now, transfer the fritters to a freezer-safe container or resealable freezer bags. You can layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Reheating From Frozen
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen fritters in a single layer in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between them. Air fry for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the fritters are heated through and crispy on the outside. Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the fritters. Adjust the time if needed.
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🙋Frequently Asked Questions
Your zucchini fritters might be falling apart due to excess moisture in the mixture. When zucchini releases too much water, it can weaken the binding agents (flour, cornstarch) and prevent the fritters from holding their shape during cooking. To address this, ensure thorough draining of the grated zucchini, and you can also consider adding a bit more binding agent to help hold the mixture together better.
Mix in additional binding agents like flour, chickpea flour, or breadcrumbs to strengthen the mixture's cohesion.
Consider adding a flaxseed or chia egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed or chia seeds mixed with 3 tablespoons water) as a vegan binding substitute.
Refrigerate the mixture for about 15-30 minutes to allow it to firm up before shaping and cooking.
Be gentle when shaping the fritters, and press them firmly to compact the mixture. Use a light touch while flipping during cooking to avoid breaking them.
Absolutely! Let them cool completely. Transfer them to a parchment lined baking tray and freeze for two hours. Move them into reusable freezer bags and freeze for up to two months. To reheat them, defrost in the fridge and pop them in the air fryer at 350 F (175 C) and reheat for 5 minutes.
After grating the main ingredient (like zucchini), sprinkle it with salt and let it sit in a colander for about 15 minutes. This helps draw out excess moisture.
Squeeze the grated ingredient (e.g., zucchini) in a cloth or with your hands to remove as much liquid as possible.
Use appropriate binding agents (flour, cornstarch, etc.) to hold the mixture together, and avoid overmixing to prevent excess liquid release.
If necessary, incorporate ingredients like breadcrumbs or ground oats to absorb excess moisture.
have lots of zucchini?
Vegan Zucchini Muffins
Teaser text for your recipe.
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📖 Recipe
Vegan Zucchini Fritters - Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups zucchini grated
- 1½ teaspoon salt
- 1 medium onion grated
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon dill chopped
- ½ cup breadcrumbs finely ground
- ½ tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Grate the zucchini with a cheese grater or food processor and put it in a colander. Sprinkle with salt and allow it to drain for 15 minutes.
- Transfer the zucchini to a muslin cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible . If you don't have a muslin cloth, just squeeze out the excess liquid with your hands.
- Add the zucchini to a mixing bowl with the onion, flour, cornstarch, baking powder, garlic powder and dill.
- Grease the insert in your air fryer and preheat to 350 F (175° C) for 5 minutes.
- Pour the breadcrumbs into a shallow bowl.
- Shape the zucchini mixture into golf ball sized balls and roll them in the breadcrumbs. Flatten them with your hand and transfer them to the air fryer.
- Lightly brush with olive oil and air fry in batches for 15 minutes, flipping once at the half way point.
Pam
Can I make these without oil?
Keri Bevan
Hi Pam, I haven't tried it, but the only oil in the recipe is a light brushing on the outside of the fritters to help them crisp up in the air fryer. I think that omitting it should be ok!
Lora
Hi. To what temperature do I set the air fryer?
Thanks
Keri Bevan
Hi Lora, Thank you for bringing this to my attention. I've just updated the recipe. It's 350 F (175 C). Hope you like the recipe!